Area high school students compete at NWTC Tech Challenge

Nearly 200 students obtain career-focused experiences at annual event

Students from 12 area high schools demonstrated their knowledge and hands-on skills during the annual Tech Challenge at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College last week.

Nearly 200 students participated in the event which was held on two NWTC campuses. NWTC Marinette hosted Coleman, Lena, Marinette, Menominee, Peshtigo, and Stephenson high schools - while NWTC Green Bay welcomed students from De Pere, Dickinson-Iron Tech Center, Green Bay-Preble, Luxemburg-Casco, Oconto, and Waupaca high schools.

Scholarships of up to $1,000 were awarded to 20 first-place winners. The event and scholarships were made possible by support from the NWTC Educational Foundation, Byron L Walter Family Trust, NWTC Marinette Trades and Welding Clubs, and the NWTC Welding Rodeo.

Event 'opens doors' to college and careers

Students tested their skills in 3D modeling, architectural drawing, design and graphics, robot building, welding, and several other fields. While competing for top honors, students also gained practical exposure to the professional roles tied to their challenges.

"Events like this can help students see that there are meaningful career opportunities right here in Northeast Wisconsin," said Andrew Gerend, NWTC Design and Graphic Technology program instructor in the College of Business, Communication, and Social Sciences. "It allows students to explore career options in a way that feels relevant and engaging."

In the Design and Graphics Challenge, students designed posters using advanced digital imaging tools to communicate public service messaging. Each competitor's work was judged on technical design skill along with their creative brief and design reasoning.

"Students are not just completing another school project," said Gerend. "They're being tasked to think like designers, solving problems, and communicating those ideas visually to a larger audience. This might be their first experience working with a design brief or creating something with a specific purpose, and that experience can be powerful."

"Tech Challenge really showcases what we have for programs here," added Lee Weisnicht, NWTC Welding program instructor in the College of Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades. "Not only do the top contestants get an up-to-$1,000 scholarship to NWTC, but we also open the doors to our welding and metal fabrication labs for the students to see and gain hands-on experience."

Students used the lab's Miller Electric welding machines in the three-part Welding Skills Challenge which consisted of oxy-fuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding, and gas metal arc welding.

In addition to competing, students glimpsed the opportunities offered by technical careers such as welding.

"Nine months after graduating high school, students can have a technical diploma and the fundamental skills required in the welding industry," said Weisnicht. "They can begin a rewarding and proud career at an early age in life and further develop their own skills within the workforce."

Learn more about NWTC's nearly 200 programs in six academic colleges.